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Drought and Distress in Southeastern Australia
Ivan C Hanigan1,2, Jacki Schirmer3,4, Theophile Niyonsenga3
1Centre for Research and Action in Public Health, University of Canberra, Building 22, Bruce, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia. ivan.hanigan@sydney.edu.au.
Ecohealth
|May 26, 2018
Summary
Droughts impact mental health, particularly affecting younger rural women in Australia. Targeted support is crucial for this vulnerable group to build resilience against climate change effects.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Psychology
- Rural Health
Background:
- Droughts are linked to mental health issues, with varying vulnerability across demographics.
- Previous Australian studies show associations between drought, suicide, depression, and distress.
- Future climate predictions indicate increased drought intensity, necessitating understanding of its mental health impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between drought and psychological distress in a rural Australian population.
- To examine how these associations differ based on age, gender, and farming status.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 5312 individuals in Victoria, Australia, in 2015.
- Utilized the Kessler 10 (K10) Psychological Distress Index and collected demographic/health data.
- Linked climatic drought indices to respondent locations and analyzed associations using multivariable regression with interaction terms.
Main Results:
- Drought duration was associated with higher distress in younger rural women (aged 40-54).
- This association was not observed in older rural women or men, nor did it vary by farming status.
- Droughts increased distress, with significant differences observed across demographic subgroups.
Conclusions:
- Droughts disproportionately affect the mental health of younger rural women, highlighting the need for targeted support.
- Understanding coping mechanisms in older rural women can enhance adaptive capacity and resilience in rural communities.
- Interventions should consider demographic-specific vulnerabilities to drought-related mental health impacts.
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